I did a search and didn't find an answer to this question, hope I didn't overlook it. This is my first year to have asparagus. It is a pre-existing bed, planted years ago by the former owners. The shoots are finally up, they are skinny but some are 6-8" tall. When do I pick them? Do I cut them, break it off at ground level or? Thanks, Julie in OK

-- Julie (okwilk213@juno.com), April 04, 2002

Answers

Might look at this site: Ohio State Univ. Extension, http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1603.html

Harvest asparagus by snapping 7 to 9 inch spears with tight tips. There is no need to cut asparagus below the soil with a knife. This may injure other buds on the crown that will send up new spears. The small stub that is left in the soil after snapping, dries up and disintegrates. A new spear does not come up at the same spot, but comes up from another bud that enlarges on another part of the crown.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

Julie, If they are as thick as your little finger, cut with sharp knife at ground level, I wouldn"t let get any taller. But I think if this is a real old patch they may need to be dug, and start a new bed. Also asparagus are heavy feeders, Lots of Manure and mulch, and a little cemical would help. something with a high middle number.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), April 04, 2002.

Hi Julie...We just love Asparagus. We have a 5 ft. X 30 ft. bed of it. We cut asparagus at ground level, when it is about 5 inches tall. When the patch is going good, we cut everyday and usually make asparagus a part of every evening meal. When we eat all we can, I freeze the remainder of the crop. I blanch it for 3 minutes, drain and then place the spears on cookie sheets and put the cookie sheets in the freezer until the next morning. Gather them up and put them in gallon size freezer bags. When you individually freeze them, like this, you can load up the bags and when it is time to eat, you just cook what you want. Also, we only harvest asparagus for 6 weeks and then let the plants go to "fern". This feeds the roots for the next years crop. They put on red berries that fall to the ground and hopefully start new plants. That is why you see asparagus growing along the roads, the birds love the berries too and "deposit" them along the roadside. It will be asparagus season here soon and we can hardly wait! Bon Appetite!

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

Waaahhh Waaahhaaa I'm so jealous!!

Asparagus is my favorite springtime food and ours are in the "first year" so can't cut them.

Really, lucky you to have inherited such a treasure! Ummmm, smacking my lips, mmmmmmmm

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

June.

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

Julie,

I agree with the above posters about the size to pick at. Try to pick the spears before the petals at the tips begin to open up. You can still eat it after, but it is much better picked younger while the tips are still tightly furled. Enjoy it, it will still be a while before I get any here in Maine. Lucky you!

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), April 05, 2002.